Liquid foaming soap dispenser

ABSTRACT

The present application relates to a foaming soap dispenser. The soap dispenser includes a housing, a liquid storage tank, a pump, a main control assembly and an output assembly. The arrangement of the pump allows for control of the output which prevents the air-liquid mixture from freely back flowing or dripping. The soap dispenser includes a controller configured to reverse the fluid pumping direction of the pump allowing for some liquid provided to the outlet to be returned to the liquid storage tank. Return of some liquid to the liquid storage tank prevents contamination.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of and priority to CN 201120499508.2, filed Dec. 2, 2011, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference. This application also claims the benefit of and priority to CN 201110397418.7, filed Dec. 02, 2011, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to a liquid foaming soap dispenser. Soap dispensers are commonly used for supplying cleaning liquids such as soap or shampoo in kitchens or bathrooms. An air-liquid mixing assemblies are sometimes arranged in the soap dispenser. The cleaning liquid is mixed with air by the air-liquid mixing assembly before extrusion, which creates a foam mixture after extrusion. This saves time and water, avoids waste of the cleaning liquid, and facilitates hygiene.

A common liquid foaming soap dispenser comprises the following parts: a liquid storage tank, a main controller assembly, an air-liquid mixing assembly and an output assembly. The main controller assembly initiates the air-liquid mixing assembly according to artificial or control signals. The air-liquid mixing assembly is used for extracting liquid and mixing the liquid with air creating a foam output.

FIG. 1A illustrates a figure from Chinese patent application No. 201010200647.0 entitled “An Automatic Induction Liquid Soap Device”. The liquid soap device includes a main controller assembly which controls a liquid pump to extract liquid from a liquid soap tank 6′. An air-liquid mixing assembly comprises an air pump and a liquid pump. The liquid pump is used for supplying power to extract liquid soap in the liquid soap tank 6′ through a liquid soap delivery pipe 3′. The air pump is used for supplying air for mixing the liquid soap through an air delivery pipe 12′. In the prior art liquid soap device of FIG. 1A, however, after the air-liquid mixture is extruded, air escapes from the residual air-liquid mixture in a nozzle 1′. Upon next use, the output will be a liquid that is no longer mixed with air. However, the liquid soap in the nozzle 1′ is oxidized due to contact with air. If the liquid soap in the nozzle 1′ is not used for a long period of time, it may solidify and block the nozzle 1′, and in severe cases the pipes, preventing the liquid from flowing out.

FIG. 1B illustrates another prior Chinese patent application No. 201010549388.2 entitled “Liquid Soap Dispenser.” In FIG. 1B, air is mixed in an air inlet pipe 70A of liquid soap. The liquid soap will back flow into the air inlet pipe 70A which may cause the liquid soap in conduit 26A to stay there or even drip out of the conduit.

SUMMARY

One embodiment of the invention relates to a foaming soap dispenser. The soap dispenser includes a housing, a liquid storage tank, a main control assembly and an output assembly. The liquid storage tank, main control assembly, and output assembly are positioned in the housing. The main control assembly controls a liquid processing assembly. The liquid processing assembly comprises a three-way junction, a liquid inlet pipe, an air inlet pipe, a pump and a liquid outlet pipe. The pump is connected on one end with a port pump of a three-way junction. The second end of the pump is connected to liquid outlet pump. The liquid outlet pump connects to the outlet assembly. One hole of the three-way junction is connected to the liquid inlet hole while a second hole is connected with the air inlet hole. The air and liquid are mixed in the three way part to form the air-liquid mixture which flows out of the output assembly via the liquid outlet pipe. The arrangement of the pump allows for control of the output which prevents the air-liquid mixture from freely back flowing or dripping. The soap dispenser includes a controller configured to reverse the fluid pumping direction of the pump allowing for some liquid provided to the outlet to be returned to the liquid storage tank. Return of some liquid to the liquid storage tank prevents contamination.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A illustrates a prior art liquid foaming soap dispenser;

FIG. 1B illustrates another prior art liquid foaming soap dispenser;

FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of a liquid foaming soap dispenser of the invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates an exploded view of one embodiment of the liquid foaming soap dispenser of the invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates an exploded view of a three-way junction in one embodiment of the liquid foaming soap dispenser of the invention; and

FIG. 5 illustrates an isometric view of a filter screen part in one embodiment of the liquid foaming soap dispenser of the invention.

LIST FOR REFERENCE NUMERALS

-   1′—nozzle; -   3′—liquid soap pipe; -   6′—liquid soap tank -   12′—air delivery pipe; -   70A—air inlet pipe; -   26A—conduit -   1—liquid storage tank; -   2—main control assembly; -   3—output assembly -   4—liquid processing assembly; -   5—housing; -   21—motor -   22—induction part; -   23—controller; -   24—battery -   31—air mixing device; -   32—nozzle; -   41—three-way junction -   41 a—pump port; -   41 b—air inlet hole; -   41 c—liquid inlet hole -   42—liquid inlet pipe; -   43—air inlet pipe; -   44—pump(e.g., peristaltic pump) -   45—liquid outlet pipe; -   51—upper bracket; -   52—lower bracket -   411—filter screen part; -   411 a—cylinder; -   411 b—filter screen -   431—check valve; -   444—flexible pipe; -   444 a—first port -   444 b—second port; -   444 c—bending part

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring generally to the drawings, a soap dispenser includes a housing, a liquid storage tank, a pump, a main control assembly and an output assembly. The arrangement of the pump allows for control of the output which prevents the air-liquid mixture from freely back flowing or dripping. The soap dispenser includes a controller configured to reverse the fluid pumping direction of the pump allowing for some liquid provided to the outlet to be returned to the liquid storage tank. Return of some liquid to the liquid storage tank is intended to help prevent contamination, dripping, and/or dryout.

FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate an isometric view of a liquid foaming soap dispenser according to an exemplary embodiment. The soap dispenser includes a housing 5, a liquid storage tank 1, a main control assembly 2 and an output assembly 3. The liquid storage tank 1, main control assembly 2, and output assembly 3 are shown as positioned in the housing 5. The soap dispenser includes a liquid processing assembly 4 controlled by the main control assembly 2. The liquid processing assembly 4 includes a three-way junction 41, a liquid inlet pipe 42, an air inlet pipe 43, a pump 44 and a liquid outlet pipe 45. The liquid inlet hole 41 c of the three-way junction 41 is connected to one end of the liquid inlet pipe 42. The air inlet hole 41 b is connected to one end of the air inlet pipe 43. The other end of the liquid inlet pipe 42 is connected to the liquid storage tank 1. A pump port 41 a is connected one end of the pump 44. One end of the liquid outlet pipe 45 is connected to the pump 44. A second end is connected with the output assembly 3.

The three-way junction 41 in the exemplary embodiment is connected to the liquid inlet pipe 42, the air inlet pipe 43, and the pump 44. The air inlet pipe 43 is connected to an air source. The air source can be either ambient air or a special air source. The liquid inlet pipe 42 is connected to the liquid storage tank 1 and delivers liquid from the liquid storage tank 1 into the three-way junction 41. The air and the liquid are mixed in the three-way junction 41 and then enter the pump 44. When liquid is needed, the pump 44 is driven. The pump 44 delivers a proper amount of an air-liquid mixture into the liquid outlet pipe 45. The air-liquid mixture flows out of the output assembly 3 via the liquid outlet pipe 45. The pump 44 is arranged such that the air and the liquid are mixed in the pump 44 and the output can be controlled. The output control prevents the air-liquid mixture from dripping or back flowing, which avoids waste of liquid.

The pump 44 can include a rotating shaft which is provided with rotary disks centered on the rotating shaft. Rollers are arranged at the periphery of the rotary disks. The rollers can apply pressure to a flexible pipe 444 to extrude the air-liquid mixture in the flexible pipe 444. When the rollers press the flexible pipe 444 filled with liquid, negative pressure is formed in the pipe and the liquid in the pipe moves forward along with forward rotation of the rollers. The liquid is pumped by alternately pressing and releasing the flexible pipe 444.

The two ends of the rotating shaft may be provided with rotary disks. The rollers on the two rotary disks form one roller set. The roller set is positioned at two sides of the flexible pipe 444 and may apply pressure to the flexible pipe 444. When pressure is applied to the flexible pipe 444, negative pressure is formed in the pipe and liquid flows accordingly along with movement of the rollers.

There may be three or more roller sets. Each roller set alternately presses the flexible pipe 444 to push the flow of liquid along with the rotation of the rotary disks. The roller set is evenly distributed at the periphery of the rotary disks. The flexible pipe 444 is externally tangent to the rollers. When the rotating shaft rotates, the rollers also rotate and apply pressure to the flexible pipe 444. As a result, liquid is extruded which forms a vacuum and allows for new liquid to enter.

The flexible pipe 444 may include a first port 444 a, a second port 444 b, and a bending part 444 c positioned between the first port 444 a and the second port 444 b. The first port 444 a is connected to the three-way junction 41. The second port 444 b is connected to the liquid outlet pipe 45. As shown in FIG. 3, the bending part 444 c is U-shaped. In other embodiments, the bending part 444 c could be a different shape.

The main control assembly 2 may include a motor 21 for driving the rotating shaft. In the exemplary embodiment, the main control assembly 2 includes an induction part 22 for inducing user operations and outputting signals, and an electric control part 23 for receiving signals and controlling the motor 21. The electric control part 23 can control the motor 21 to perform both clockwise and counterclockwise rotation. The induction part 22 can perform infrared induction. The main control assembly 2 can obtain power supply from the battery 24 or other external equipment.

When a user needs liquid, the user can approach or contact the induction part 22 with their hands or other body parts. The induction part 22 outputs an initiating signal to the electric control part 23 after detecting the human body. After receiving the initiating signal, the electric control part 23 prompts the motor 21 to perform clockwise rotation. After the motor 21 drives the pump 44, the first port 444 a takes liquid from the liquid storage tank 1 through the three-way junction 41 and takes air from the atmosphere through the air inlet pipe 42. The liquid and air are mixed in the pump 44, then outputted from the second port 444 b, and outputted from a nozzle 32 via the liquid outlet pipe 45. After the liquid is supplied according to the time setting, the electric control part 23 outputs signals to the motor 21. The motor 21 stops rotating and supply of the liquid is stopped. When the soap dispenser is not used, the flexible pipe 444 of the pump 44 is locked by the rollers. The self locking functions of the roller prevent liquid in the pipe from flowing out. When the electric control part 23 judges that the soap dispenser has not been is used for a period of time, it prompts the motor 21 to perform reverse rotation. The period of time can be set such that it is an hour or several hours. During this time, the air trapped in the residual air-liquid mixture in the liquid outlet pipe 45 will escape from the mixture and it will return to a purer liquid state The reverse rotation causes the residual liquid in the liquid outlet pipe 45 to enter the pump 44 and the three-way junction 41. The liquid then returns to the air inlet pipe 42, and enters the liquid storage tank 1. This saves liquid and prevents contamination of the liquid.

The air inlet pipe 43 can include a check valve 431. The check valve 431 can only be opened from the air inlet pipe 43 to the three-way junction 41, The check valve 431 cannot be opened in the reverse direction, which prevents the liquid from back flowing into the air inlet pipe 43.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the exemplary embodiment includes a filter screen part 411 which is arranged in the pump port 41 a of the three-way junction 41. The filter screen part 411 comprises a cylinder 411 a. The two ends of the cylinder 411 a are each provided with a filter screen 411 b. There are at least two filter screen 411 b parts. When passing through the three-way junction 41, the air and the liquid are fully mixed in the filter screen part 411 by the filter screen 411 b.

The output assembly 3 may include an air mixing device 31 and the nozzle 32. The air mixing device 31 is positioned between the nozzle 32 and the liquid outlet pipe 45. The air mixing device 31 includes at least one filter screen part 411 which can be used for further mixing of the air and liquid in order to produce more abundant foam.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the main control assembly 2, the liquid processing assembly 4, and the output assembly 3 may be arranged in a mounting part formed by an upper bracket 51 and a lower bracket 52. The liquid storage tank 1 is positioned at the upper part of the upper bracket 51. The mounted liquid storage tank 1 is received in the housing 5 along with the mounting part.

The liquid storage tank 1 can store liquid soap, disinfectant, softener, shampoo, or hand sanitizer. The invention is not limited to these liquids, and can be used in conjunction with any liquid substance, semisolid substance, or fluid in which a small amount can be distributed many times. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A soap dispenser comprising: an air inlet pipe; a liquid storage tank; an outlet, a three-way junction receiving liquid from the liquid storage tank and receiving air from the inlet pipe, and a pump downstream from the three way junction configured to cause an air-liquid mixture to be pulled into the pump via the three way port and provided to the outlet.
 2. The soap dispenser of claim 1 further comprising: a controller configured to reverse the fluid pumping direction of the pump, wherein at least some of liquid provided to the outlet is returned to the liquid storage tank by the reversed fluid pumping.
 3. The soap dispenser of claim 2, wherein the controller is configured to cause the reversal of the pumping direction occurring a first period of time after discontinuing forward pumping of the liquid.
 4. The soap dispenser of claim 1, wherein the pump is a peristaltic pump.
 5. The soap dispenser of claim 1, wherein the air inlet pipe is further provided with a check valve.
 6. The soap dispenser of claim 1, wherein the pump comprises a rotating shaft which includes rotary disks centered on the rotating shaft, wherein rollers are arranged at the periphery of the rotary disk, and repeatedly apply pressure to a flexible pipe to extrude the air-liquid mixture into the flexible pipe.
 7. The soap dispenser of claim 6, wherein the two ends of the rotating shaft are respectively provided with the rotary disks, the rollers on the two rotary disk form on roller set and the roller set is positioned at two sides of the flexible pipe for applying pressure to the flexible pipe.
 8. The soap dispenser of claim 6, wherein the flexible pipe comprises a first port, a second port and a bending part positioned between the first port and the second port, wherein the first port is connected to the pump port and the second port is connected to an outlet.
 9. The soap dispenser of claim 6, wherein a main control assembly comprises a motor for driving the rotating shaft.
 10. The soap dispenser of claim 9, wherein the main control assembly further comprises an induction part for inducing user operations and outputting signals, and an electric control part for receiving signals and controlling the motor.
 11. The soap dispenser of claim 1, wherein a filter screen part is arrange in the pump port of the three way junction and the filter screen comprises a cylinder with a filter screen at each end of the cylinder.
 12. The soap dispenser of claim 11, wherein an output assembly comprises an air mixing device and a nozzle, in which the air mixing device is positioned between the nozzle and the liquid outlet pipe, and the air mixing device comprises at least one filter screen part.
 13. The soap dispenser of claim 1, wherein the controller, pump, three way junction, outlet, and air inlet pipe are arrange in a mounting part formed by an upper bracket and a lower bracket, and the liquid storage tank is positioned at the upper part of the upper bracket.
 14. The soap dispenser of claim 1, wherein the liquid storage tank can store liquid soap, shampoo, disinfectant, softener, or hand sanitizer.
 15. A method for preventing liquid drip and liquid contamination in a soap dispenser comprising; mixing air and a liquid and pumping the mixture to an outlet; and responding to discontinuing the pumping by causing the pump to reverse fluid pumping direction of the pump, wherein at least some liquid is returned to a liquid storage tank.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the reversal of the pumping directions occurs a first period of time after discontinuing forward pumping motion. 